Ryder Erickson

May 7, 2018
Based in Unalakleet, AK, Iñupiaq singer-songwriter Ryder Erickson writes, records, and produces his own music. His guitar and vocals carry an emotional honesty and grit reminiscent of folk/rock artists from Bob Dylan to Damien Rice. Scandinavian on his father’s side and Native on his mother’s side, Ryder was influenced by both cultures and also discriminated against for not conforming to one or the other. He picked up the guitar at age 12, joined a guitar club at 14, and started a band in high school. His dedication to a music career strengthened as an adult after he underwent back surgery and needed to quit working jobs that were physically demanding. Encouraged by friends and fans to record and get his music online, Ryder became passionate about putting out songs that are both conscious and positive. He uses music to preserve his culture, inspired by his love of Native drum and dance and the will to combat the ubiquity of western culture in Indigenous communities. His songs reign in sadness and anger from the past with happiness and pride for the future. As he works to release a new album, Ryder also makes a living as a painter and is a stay-at-home father of three.

Playlist

Artist (Song) Album

1. 1. 1. Tall Paul (Someone Great Who Looked Like Me)
      2. Janel Munoa (Happy Sinking) Howls From Deep In the Woods
      3. Cris Derksen (I See Icy Water) The Collapse
      4. Dj Shub ft. Black Lodge Singers (Big Crow) PowWowStep – EP
      5. Ryder Erickson (Native Pride)
      6. Ryder Erickson (I Believe In You)
      7. Ryder Erickson (Annette’s Song)
      8. Elisapie feat Joe Grass (Wolves Don’t Live by the Rules)
      9. Supaman (Somewhere) Illuminatives
      10. Logan Staats (The Lucky Ones)
      11. Kristi Lane Sinclair (Fire in Santa Fe) The Ability to Judge Distance – EP
      12. I Sing, You Dance (I Am Yupik) I Am Yupik